CVE-2012-3884 in AirDroid
Summary
by MITRE
AirDroid 1.0.4 beta implements authentication through direct transmission of a password hash over HTTP, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by sniffing the local wireless network and then replaying the authentication data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3884 affects AirDroid version 1.0.4 beta and represents a critical flaw in the application's authentication mechanism. This security weakness stems from the application's implementation of password hash transmission over unencrypted HTTP connections, creating a significant attack surface that compromises user account security. The flaw directly violates fundamental security principles regarding credential protection and network communication integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the direct transmission of password hashes through HTTP protocols without any form of encryption or secure transport layer protection. When users authenticate with AirDroid, their credentials are not only sent in plaintext but also in a format that can be easily captured and replayed by malicious actors. This design flaw creates an environment where network sniffing tools can capture the authentication data during transmission, allowing attackers to obtain valid session tokens or credentials without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables man-in-the-middle attacks and session hijacking scenarios. Attackers with access to the local wireless network can intercept the password hash transmission and subsequently replay this data to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile device users who rely on wireless networks for connectivity, as the unencrypted nature of HTTP communications makes it trivial for attackers to capture authentication data in public or shared network environments.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-319 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information), both of which address the improper handling of sensitive data during network transmission. The weakness also maps to ATT&CK technique T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1567 (Server Software Component) as attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access to target systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing secure communication protocols and proper authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols including HTTPS encryption for all authentication data transmission. Network administrators should deploy wireless network security measures such as WPA2-Enterprise authentication and monitor for suspicious network activity. Application developers must implement proper credential handling mechanisms including secure hash functions, token-based authentication, and encrypted communication channels. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of using unsecured wireless networks and the importance of implementing additional security layers such as two-factor authentication to protect against credential replay attacks. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices and proper security testing during application development lifecycle phases.